Date | January 30-February 1, 2026 |
Location | Hulst, the Netherlands |
Category | Major Championships |
Previous winners | Mathieu van der Poel, Fem van Empel |
2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Information
The UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships heads to the Netherlands in 2026 with the battle on reigning men's champion Mathieu van der Poel's home turf in Hulst.
The seven-time elite champion will be without rival Wout van Aert (Belgium) in the event as the Visma-Lease a Bike rider suffered a fracture after a crash in the Zilvermeercross in Mol on January 2 and had to have surgery.
The top competitors to Van der Poel include Thibau Nys, who was third in 2025, Michael Vanthourenhout, Toon Aerts, Emiel Verstrynge (Crelan-Corendon) and Laurens Sweeck.
Elite women's winner in 2025 Fem Van Empel is taking a lighter approach to cyclo-cross this year, so it is uncertain whether she will target Worlds. Instead, her compatriot Lucinda Brand (Baloise Lions) has been the most dominant rider of the season.
The top five riders in the UCI rankings all hail from the Netherlands, with Inge van der Heijden and Aniek van Alphen having great seasons. Puck Pieterse, racing a reduced schedule, is the most likely rider to challenge Brand, while French rider Amandine Fouquenet is another strong rival.
2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Route
2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Schedule
Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
January 30 | Team relay | 13:30-14:30 CET |
January 31 | Junior women | 11:00 CET |
January 31 | U23 men | 13:00 CET |
January 31 | Elite women | 15:00 CET |
February 1 | Junior men | 11:00 CET |
February 1 | U23 women | 13:00 CET |
February 1 | Elite men | 15:00 CET |
Latest Content on the Race
Van Empel eyeing more than just Pieterse in Cyclocross World Championships
News Dutch rider expects more rivals in Hoogerheide than this season's main competitor
Stairs are eye candy but barriers a bigger hurdle for Hoogerheide Cyclocross Worlds
News 'They are really in a very crucial place and are high' notes former World Champion Sven Nys
Van der Poel, Van Empel lead powerful Dutch team at home Cyclocross Worlds
News 'Mathieu will go for nothing less than the win' says national team coach
'I don't want to skip any steps' - Van Anrooij chooses U23 Worlds race in Hoogerheide
News 'I will try again to give everything for that beautiful rainbow jersey' says former junior World Champion
Van der Poel fancies his chances over Van Aert at Cyclocross Worlds
News 'I want to ride my best cross race of the season' says four-time world champion
Marianne Vos sidelined from Cyclocross Worlds due to 'physical problems'
News 'Treatment and recovery are a priority to hopefully start the road season without any complaints' says current World Champion
Vas recovered from illness and focused on Cyclocross Worlds before hitting road for SD Worx
News 'If I'm going to be world champion, I would like it to be in the elite category, not U23' says Hungarian champion confirmed to race with elite women in Hoogerheide
Cyclocross season and quest for world title ends early for Ferrand-Prevot
News Mountain bike World Champion takes time off 'to concentrate on recovery' from injury suffered in December
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Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel plot alternate routes to the cobbled Classics after CX Worlds
Dutchman to kick off road season much later than rival at Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriatico -
'It's a cyclocross race with a bit of road in the middle' - Zoe Bäckstedt to go all-in at Paris-Roubaix
British rider captures two rainbow jerseys at UCI Cyclo-cross Worlds in Liévin -
'A dream' - Thibau Nys bounces back from illness with third place at Cyclo-cross Worlds behind Van der Poel and Van Aert
'I had quite a difficult two weeks, but I knew that if I could have my level then a podium was possible' says Belgian after first elite podium
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Wout van Aert reunited with lost Garmin after Cyclo-cross World Championships
'It was definitely my best cyclocross race of the winter' says former world champion pleased with silver-medal performance -
'Hungry for more' - Puck Pieterse ends cyclocross season with Worlds bronze, turns attention to Spring Classics
'Fem always wins this title ... three times in a row. Every time, at the right time, she is super good' Pieterse praises compatriot's success in Liévin -
'Mixed feelings' for Lucinda Brand at Cyclo-cross Worlds after missing out on rainbow jersey in last lap
Brand says squeeze to the fences by Van Empel 'wasn't necessary' but admits that 'the difference was made already'
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One-day races in Cat Ferguson's sights during debut pro season with Movistar
18-year-old adds another world title to her collection with Great Britain's mixed team relay Cyclo-cross Worlds win -
Heavy rainfall in Liévin closes parts of Cyclo-cross Worlds course ahead of warm-up session
Changing weather could lead to unpredictable racing in France -
Can Wout van Aert beat Mathieu van der Poel at the cyclocross World Championships?
Changeable weather forecast and fast course could give the Belgian a chance as men's duel sparks 2,500 extra tickets sales
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Like father, like son? We compare Thibau Nys' cyclocross bike to his dad's from ten years ago ahead of the cyclocross World Championships
Cyclocross bikes haven't actually changed all that much -
'Tabor is a total wattage track' - Jeremy Powers previews Tabor CX Worlds course and tech
We talk tyres, pressures, and how the pros deal with mechanicals with a 4 time national champion -
'The goal has always been the Worlds' – Cameron Mason hopes for a medal to complete breakthrough cyclocross season
23-year-old Scot tells Cyclingnews about his intense winter and road and gravel plans for the summer -
'I'm too busy to realise it's the end' – Zdenek Stybar brings it home at Tábor Worlds
Czech rider back where it all started for his final race at the top level -
'We can only make each other stronger,' Puck Pieterse on fierce CX competition and the road ahead
Pieterse speaks to Cyclingnews about her rivalry and friendship with World Champion Fem van Empel and splitting her ambitions between mountain bike and road
